DEFENSE
When tensions run high and people start drawing lines between “us” and “them” I recall one of the things I learned as a psychology student – people tend to segregate themselves when they perceive a shortage of resources.
At times when it appears there isn’t enough to go around, people feel vulnerable and threatened. To counter, they hoard, defend, segregate, differentiate.
It is an attempt to ensure what little they perceive to exist remains a resource for the group they’re in. Not enough to go around? Then let’s keep it just for us.
Why do I bring this up? Well, notice that the unemployment rate in Tuscon is the highest it’s been in 27 years.
The threat of not enough jobs?
We must protect ourselves.
They did this to us.
Let’s get ‘em.
OFFENSE
During a recent conversation with a military colleague, he explained how modern security tactics do not belong to military organizations, but to civilian ones.
Why?
Because when people feel like they have enough resources they feel safe.
When they feel safe the community is secure.
When the community is secure there is peace.
NO FENCE
If this is the work of civilian organizations, that means it is our work as the people who belong to those societies to ensure there is enough for everyone.
It is our job.
It is our responsibility to readjust our perceptions and recognize that if there is no work to be found then there is work to be made.
My Twitter mantra is #bewhoyouare #dowhatyoulove #changetheworld. Because creating an authentic expression of ourselves through the work we do does effect change in the world.
It is how we build our global niche.
And there is enough room in the world for everyone to find their place in it.
A HYBRID AMBASSADORS blog-ring project.
You met our multinational Dialogue 2010 cultural innovators last spring in a roundtable discussion of hybrid life at expat+HAREM and followed their reactions to a polarizing book promotion. In this round they offer their thoughts on the recent shooting incident in Tucson, Arizona.
Add your voice to the conversation. Join the discussion on Twitter using #HybridAmbassadors.
More thoughts on this subject from my fellow hybrid ambassadors:
Tara Lutman Agacayak’s Enough
Catherine Bayar’s We the People
Elmira Bayraslı’s The Irresponsible Nation?
Sezin Koehler’s The Culture of Violence
Catherine Yigit’s United in Fear
